Champs Chicken Franchise Cost, Revenue & Review 2026
Data from FDD filing
Analysis by FranchiseVerdict Research · Methodology
Champs Chicken is a quick-service fried-chicken franchise built for non-traditional sites like convenience stores and supermarkets. Franchisees run a store-in-store or kiosk serving fried chicken, tenders, and sides.
FranchiseVerdict summary · 2026
A Champs Chicken franchise requires a total initial investment of $9K – $349K. The 2024 FDD does not disclose unit-level revenue (no Item 19). FranchiseVerdict grade: A (Strongest tier), an editorial assessment, not investment advice. Run a live ROI scan →
Data last verified · figures per the 2024 FDD issuance
Overview
- Investment
- $9K – $349K
- 0th pct Service Resta…
- Avg gross sales
- N/A
- Royalty
- N/A
- Units
- 401
- 88th pct Service Resta…
- SBA charge-off
- N/A
Quick verdict · Quick-Service Restaurants · color = vs category peers
Green = favorable by >10% vs Quick-Service Restaurants avg · No shading = within ±10% · Red = unfavorable by >10% · Source: FDD filings + SBA 7(a)
Data from public FDD filings and SBA records. Not financial advice. Methodology
Bottom line
- COSTTotal investment $9K – $349K.
- RETURNSLicense fees are the sole revenue line; recognized over time and consist of license fees received from Pro Food Systems, Inc. Interest income of $11,472 is reported separately as Other Income below operating income.
- RISKVerdict A (Strongest tier), verdict score 61/100 (higher is better).
- DECLINESystem contracting at -7.2% CAGR over 3 years. Investigate whether closures are franchisor-driven (consolidation) or franchisee-driven (economics).
Item 1 · who you're contracting with
The Franchisor
Corporate structure & franchisor financials
- Legal entity
- Champs Chicken Franchising, LLC
- Parent company
- None
- Predecessor
- None
- Prior franchisor entity
- CEO title
- President and Chief Executive Officer
- Shawn Burcham
- CEO experience
- 26 yrs
- Years in role or industry
- Incorporated in
- Delaware
- HQ
- 120 Commerce Drive, Holts Summit, Missouri 65043
- Auditor
- Auditor located in Fargo, North Dakota (report dated August 21, 2024)
- Audited financials
- Franchisor revenue
- $191K
- vs $203K prior year
- Management churn noted
- Frequent turnover
- Item 2 disclosed frequent executive changes
Overview
About
- CEO
- Shawn Burcham
- Headquarters
- MO
- Founded
- 2013
- FDD year
- 2024
- States available
- 36
Can you afford it, and what does the money buy?
Entry cost runs 73% below the typical quick-service restaurants franchise.
Source: FDD 2024 · Items 5–7
FDD Item 7 · 2024 filing
Initial investment breakdown
| Cost component | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Working capital (3–6 mo) | $3K | $30K |
| Equipment, build-out, other | $6K | $319K |
| Total initial investment | $9K | $349K |
Source: Champs Chicken 2024 FDD, Items 5 and 7[2]. “Equipment, build-out, other” is computed as total minus disclosed line items above.
Item 7 · what it costs to open + operate
The Vitals
- Total investment
- $9K – $349K
- Top 40% of category vs category
- Liquid capital req'd
- $3K – $30K
- Top 40% of category vs category
- Franchise fee
- N/A
- Top 40% of category vs category
- Royalty
- No royalty is charged. The franchisor does not charge an …
- Ad fund
- 4.0%
- typical 3–5%
- Total fee load
- 4.0%
- vs 9–13% typical
Ongoing fees · Item 6
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marketing / ad fund | 4.0% of gross sales |
| Technology fee | $5K |
| Transfer fee | $3K |
| Inventory (initial) | $3K – $15K |
| Total fee load | 4.0% of rev |
ROI & LBO modelsSingle-unit · 25-unit portfolio · editable
Champs Chicken did not disclose financial performance in FDD Item 19. The ROIC and return models require Item 19 revenue. Without it all inputs are estimates. You can still run the calculator with your own assumptions by entering an expected revenue figure.
Returns model · single-unit ROIC
What would one Champs Chicken unit return on the cash you put in?
Unlevered ROIC · per unit
Estimated return on your total franchise investment, before any debt financing.
46%
Within the 30–60% "attractive franchise" band
These models are for research and scenario planning only. Not investment advice. Actual results depend on your specific location, management, and market conditions. Consult a franchise attorney and accountant before signing any franchise agreement.
Item 19 · Source: 2024 FDD
Financial Performance
License fees are the sole revenue line; recognized over time and consist of license fees received from Pro Food Systems, Inc. Interest income of $11,472 is reported separately as Other Income below operating income.
Operator outlook
What the numbers say
Data-driven interpretation of this brand's financial disclosures, fee structure, and system trajectory.
Fee burden
Total ongoing fee load of 4.0% — below the Quick-Service Restaurants average of 7.9%.
Disclosure
Franchisor chose not to disclose financial performance representations. You will need to gather unit economics directly from existing franchisees.
Operator retention
System contracting at -7.2% CAGR over 3 years. Investigate whether closures are franchisor-driven consolidation or franchisee exits.
Source: FDD Item 19 financial performance representations and publicly filed FDD data. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Verify all figures with the franchisor and current franchisees before making any investment decision.
vs Quick-Service Restaurants averages
How Champs Chicken Compares
Is the system healthy?
Source: FDD 2024 · Item 20
Unit growth
Item 20 · unit dynamics
The Growth Chart
- Total units
- 401
- Opened
- 28
- Last reporting year
- Closed
- 43
- Turnover rate
- 10.8%
- Company-owned
- 1
- Corporate units in the system
- % franchised
- 100%
- vs corporate-owned
- Net growth (3-yr)
- -7.2%
- Net unit change over 3 years
- 3-yr CAGR
- -7.2%
- Compounded over last 3 years
3-year detail · Item 20
- Opened (3yr)
- 28
- Closed (3yr)
- 43
- Terminated (3yr)
- 0
- Non-renewed (3yr)
- 0
- Transfers (3yr)
- 17
- Reacquired (3yr)
- 0
- Franchisor bought back
- Transfer rate
- 4.2%
- Owners selling to other franchisees
- Continuity rate
- 90.3%
- Units that stayed open
- Ceased ops
- 10.7%
- Units that stopped operating
Year-over-year franchised unit counts and net change. Source: FDD Item 20.
Item 20 · 33 states with active franchisees
The Territory Map
Derived from franchisee contact records. Shows states with at least one current operator. Not where the franchisor is registered to sell new units (that data is re-extracting in a future refresh).
States derived from franchisee contact records (FDD Item 20). Shows states with at least one current operator on file. Full state registration data (Item 12) will appear on a future FDD refresh.
SBA loan performance
Government records
SBA Loan Data
Aggregated from SBA 7(a) and 504 loan disclosures, public data unique to FranchiseVerdict.
No SBA loan data available for this brand.
What could kill this investment?
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA · FDD Items 3, 21
Risk analysis
FranchiseVerdict rating + FDD Items 3, 4, 8, 16, 21
Risk & Legal
Champs Chicken presents HIGH RISK due to system contraction, multi-state regulatory violations, undisclosed financials, and evidence of franchisor-franchisee disputes over payments.
Litigation (Item 3)
Three Item-3 matters disclosed: (1) TravelCenters of the Ozarks/Wilmoth Enterprises v. Champs Chicken Franchising (Cole County, MO, 2022) — breach of contract over rebate payments, in preliminary stage; (2) Illinois Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (2016) — sold franchises while registration suspended, paid $2,000; (3) Washington Consent Order (2017) — sold franchises without a current permit, paid $3,000.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
None disclosed
Audited financials (Item 21)
Yes · Auditor located in Fargo, North Dakota (report dated August 21, 2024)
Franchisor revenue (Item 21)
Franchisor entity revenue (not unit-level)
Supplier relationship · Items 8 & 16
- Franchisor sells you products: Yes
- Kickbacks from required suppliers: Yes
- Must buy proprietary products: Yes
- Restricted to system-approved products: Yes
Score breakdown · what drove the 61 / 100 verdict
- 01MINORNegative unit growth (-3.6% YoY) indicates system contraction and potential franchisee dissatisfaction
- 02MEDMultiple regulatory violations across three states (Missouri, Illinois, Washington) suggesting compliance issues and operational negligence
- 03MINORZero franchise fee with $0–$349K investment range is unusually broad, indicating unclear or inconsistent franchise model
- 04MEDNo average revenue or net income disclosure (missing Item 19) prevents validation of profitability claims
- 05HIGHActive litigation regarding rebates suggests franchisor-franchisee financial disputes and broken promises
- 06MINORSuspended registration in Illinois and permit violations in Washington indicate franchisor failed basic legal obligations
- 07MINORDeclining unit count combined with non-disclosure makes it impossible to assess franchisee success rates
Severity inferred from the FDD text · not a regulatory classification
What are you signing up for?
Ongoing fees run about 4.0% of sales (royalty + ad fund), before rent and labor.
Source: FDD 2024 · Items 11, 12, 17
FDD Items 12, 15, 17 · continued from Risk & Legal
Contract & Territory Detail
| Initial term | 5 years |
|---|---|
| Renewal term | 5 years |
| Territory type | none |
| Protected territory | No |
| Exclusive territoryℹ | No |
| Territory radius | 1 mi |
| Online sales rightsℹ | Restricted |
| Franchisor can compete | Yes |
| Hire a manager? | Allowed |
| Owner-operator | Optional |
| Right of first refusalℹ | No |
| Transfer requires consent | Yes |
| Termination notice | 60 days |
| Mandatory arbitration | No |
| Jury trial waiver | No |
| Governing law | DE |
| Litigation count | 3 |
View Item 3 litigation summary
Three Item-3 matters disclosed: (1) TravelCenters of the Ozarks/Wilmoth Enterprises v. Champs Chicken Franchising (Cole County, MO, 2022) — breach of contract over rebate payments, in preliminary stage; (2) Illinois Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (2016) — sold franchises while registration suspended, paid $2,000; (3) Washington Consent Order (2017) — sold franchises without a current permit, paid $3,000.
Items 10, 11
Training & Operations
- Classroom training
- 0 hrs
- On-the-job training
- 12 hrs
- Training location
- Franchisee's Restaurant
- Time to open
- 6 mo
- From signing to launch
- POS system
- MicroSale (reporting service); POS not mandated
- Operating tech stack
Items 5 & 11
Franchisor Support
Technology: MicroSale (reporting service); POS not mandated
Item 20 · call current owners
Franchisee Contacts
126 owners to call
Name · phone · city · state. Extracted from FDD Item 20
FDD download
Champs Chicken · FDD (2024) PDF
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Champs Chicken franchise?
The total investment to open a Champs Chicken franchise ranges from $9K – $349K. This includes real estate, equipment, inventory, and working capital as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
What do Champs Chicken franchise owners earn?
Champs Chicken does not disclose average franchise owner earnings in their FDD Item 19. Not all franchisors are required to make financial performance representations. We recommend asking existing franchisees directly about their financial experience.
What is Item 19 in the Champs Chicken FDD?
The FDD section where a franchisor may disclose financial performance of its outlets. Disclosure is optional and formats vary; figures are typically gross sales, which is revenue before expenses, not profit. FranchiseVerdict extracts these figures directly from the Champs Chicken FDD and qualifies whose outlets they describe.
What is Champs Chicken's franchise failure rate?
SBA 7(a) loan charge-off data is not available for Champs Chicken (fewer than 10 loans on file). Charge-off rates are one way to gauge franchise risk, but not all franchise loans go through the SBA program. We recommend reviewing turnover and closure data in the FDD and speaking with current franchisees.
How many Champs Chicken franchise locations are there?
As of their most recent FDD filing, Champs Chicken has 401 total units in the United States, including 400 franchised units and 1 company-owned units. 28 new units were opened in the latest reporting year.
Is Champs Chicken a good franchise to buy?
FranchiseVerdict rates Champs Chicken as a A-grade franchise with a verdict score of 61 out of 100 (higher is better), based on our analysis of investment costs, revenue data, SBA loan performance, and growth trends. Our rating is based solely on publicly available FDD and government data; we recommend speaking with current franchisees before making any investment decision. This is not investment advice.
Data sourced from public FDD filings and SBA 7(a) FOIA records. Not financial advice.
For franchisors
Are you the franchisor?
If you represent Champs Chicken, you can request corrections or provide updated information.
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Data extracted from public FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan disclosures (FOIA). This information is provided for research purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Verify all figures with the franchisor's current Franchise Disclosure Document before making any investment decision.